SAFE AT SEA IN NORWAY: INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS 2018

SAFE AT SEA
IN NORWAY
Photo: Magus Jonas Fjell
FIRE POLICE MEDICAL
EMERGENCIES
COASTAL
RADIO
STATION
110 112 113 120
BOATING LICENCE AND REGULATIONS
SAFETY CHECKLIST
QUOTAS AND REGULATIONS FOR CATCHING FISH

To ensure that you have a safe stay, we want to give you some necessary
information about safety at sea and fishing rules which apply in Norway.
In the centrefold, you will find an important checklist with safety regulations. If you are
renting a boat, you should fill out this checklist together with the boat hire company
before using the boat.
The legal responsibility for maintaining safety rests with the boat hire company.
However, as a customer, you must take responsibility for your own safety too. Follow the
instructions and recommendations given, and consider whether you have the necessary
qualifications to keep safe.
Boating licence
In Norway, persons born in or after 1980
need a boating licence in order to operate a
recreational craft of between 8-15 meters in
length, or with an engine with a greater
effect than 25 HP.
An international Certificate of Competence
(ICC) gives the right to master a recreational
craft of up to 15 meters in length in Norway.
A licence issued in another EEA state is valid in accordance with the content of the
licence, for a craft of up to 15 meters. Foreign licences may be valid if they meet the
requirements of the Norwegian boating licence.
Please contact the Norwegian Maritime Authority if you have any questions:
post@sdir.no
Lifejacket
In Norway, users of recreational boats of up to
8 meters in length are required by law to use
a lifejacket while the boat is in transit.
Make sure the lifejacket is CE marked. If the lifejacket is inflatable, make sure
the gas cartridge is tightened correctly and is not loose. Ensure that the
inflation sensor is not damaged, expired or has been exposed to moisture.

Alcohol
We strongly recommend avoiding alcohol while boating. It is not allowed to
navigate a boat of up to 15 metres in overall length if you have a blood-alcohol
content (BAC) of more than 0.08%, or a concentration of alcohol in the
exhalation breath exceeding 0.4 milligrams per litre air.
Weather
The weather in Norway changes quickly at sea. Check the weather conditions
and stay updated on weather reports, for example at yr.no or storm.no.
Avoid standing in the boat as much as possible.
“Please respect wildlife and do not litter”
Photo: Magus Jonas Fjell

Safety checklist
Before you are permitted to use the boat, you need to fill out this form together with
the boat hire company to signify that the safety instructions have been given and
understood. Failure to comply with the safety regulations may result in liability and
loss of the right to operate boats. The boat hire company may have additional safety
instructions. Please fill out
Important telephone numbers
Customer’s telephone number:
Boat hire company’s telephone number:
My contact telephone has been tested locally
I will keep my phone available, well charged and dry at all times while on board
I have been informed about the mobile phone coverage in the area
In case of emergency
I have been informed about the emergency numbers
Police: 112 Ambulance: 113 Fire: 110 Coastal radio station: 120
I know where the emergency phone numbers can be found on board
I have been given instructions on what to do in case of emergencies
I have been given information about the facility’s general and liability insurance
Onshore safety
I am familiar with the emergency exits, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits for the facility
I am familiar with the routines for reporting missing persons.
How to use the boat and motor
I am familiar with the correct way to conduct myself on board a boat
(weight distribution)
I have been instructed on how to use the boat and the motor
I am informed about the information found aboard and where it is located
I know that the dead-man’s switch found on the outboard motor must always be
used when the motor is running (except next to piers or wharfs)
I have been instructed on how to fill fuel
The boat and the motor is handed over to me in good condition.

Equipment
I have been informed about the type of equipment found aboard
The life-saving equipment has been demonstrated and tested
I have been given the necessary training in the use of electronic aids
Weather and weather forecast
I have been given information about the weather conditions in the area
I know that I am responsible of staying updated on the weather forecast
I have been informed about routines on how the boat hire company might
contact me while at sea
Nautical charts and waters
I have been given information about nautical charts
If the facility has specific route charts, I have been given instructions on how to use
these charts
I have been given information on traffic restrictions in the area
I have been informed about especially dangerous areas and safe conduct
when travelling in and around such areas
I have been given information about navigation marks found in the area
I have been given information about fish farms and commercial fishing in the area
and correct conduct when travelling by boat in areas where fish farms are located
and/or commercial fishing occurs
I have been briefed about the facility’s rules concerning how long and how far the
boat can be taken out to sea
Restrictions on drinking alcohol when boating
I have been informed about Norwegian law related to drinking alcohol
and boating
Place: date: Boat hire company`s signatur
Customer`s signature

Guidelines for recreational sea angling
• You are welcome to fish for free in seawater in Norway
• Use hand-held tackle only
• Do not fish protected species:
Protected all year: Spiny dogfish, basking shark, porbeagle, blue ling, lobster, bluefin
tuna, silk shark, eel, wrasse
Protected parts of the year (see fiskeridir.no or ask your host):
Greenland halibut, halibut, lumpfish, redfish
• Follow the regulations for minimum sizes of fish
• It is illegal to sell your catch
• Keep a distance of no less than 100 metres from fish farms when fishing
• You are allowed to take out 10 kg of fish or fish products upon leaving Norway. If you
have been fishing from a registered fishing camp, you can take up to 20 kg of fish or fish
products upon leaving.
This restriction applies within a period of 7 days. Therefore, if you take out a full quota
on departing from Norway you have to wait for seven days before you can take a new
export quota out of the country.
• See http://www.fiskeridir.no/English/Recreational-fishing for further information

Registered fishing camps are obliged to report catches to the fisheries authorities.
When using a registered fishing camp, you must therefore report to the fishing camp
each fishing trip and all catches, whether landed or released, of the following species:
Illustration Species Minimum size Minimum size
North of 62° N South of 62° N
Cod 44 cm 40 cm
Halibut 80 cm 80 cm
Redfish 32 cm 32 cm
Wolffish No minimum size No minimum size
Saithe No minimum size No minimum size
Minimum sizes for some other species:
Species Minimum size Minimum size
North of 62° N
South of 62° N
Haddock 40 cm 31 cm
Whiting 32 cm 32 cm
Hake 30 cm 30 cm
Great scallop 10 cm 10 cm
There are no minimum sizes for mackerel.
Visit www.fiskeridir.no for a full table of minimum sizes.

Photo: Magus Jonas Fjell
Enjoy your stay in Norway
sdir.no/en/recreational-craft
fiskeridir.no/English